Inhibitive effect and mechanism of cinnamaldehyde on growth and OTA production of Aspergillus niger in vitro and in dried red chilies

•The inhibitory effect of cinnamaldehyde on Aspergillus niger DTZ-12 was significantly better than eugenol, carvacrol and linalool.•Cinnamaldehyde strongly inhibited OTA production of Aspergillus niger DTZ-12 in vitro and in dried red chilies.•The presence of OTA in dried red chilies during storage was a dynamic equilibrium between its degradation and production.•Cinnamaldehyde can damage the cell membrane, organelles and disrupt energy metabolism of Aspergillus niger DTZ-12.